Barrier Devices and Spermicides as a form of contraception
There are several methods as to contraception is concerned. This gives an overview of each available form of contraception. For added protection, the use of a spermicide is highly recommended.
Male condom as a form of contraception
A thin sleeve made of latex or polyurethane that snugly fits on the penis of the man. It is closed at the tip of the penis to receive the ejaculate and thus prevent the sperm cells from entering the vagina of the woman. After ejaculation, the condom should be held on the penis to avoid spilling any sperm on the vagina as it is withdrawn.
Although made of strong materials, a condom may occasionally tear. There is always another option if in case this scenario has happened within 3 days and there is a danger of being pregnant.
Condoms, aside from being a good form of contraception, are also excellent devices to use to prevent STIs, STDs, as well as HIV/AIDS. A lot of couples use other devices of contraception to avoid pregnancy and the condom to avoid STD infections.
Cap or Diaphragm as a form of contraception
The cap or the diaphragm can be described to be of silicon or rubber material that is shaped like a dome that is placed inside the deep part of the vagina, forming a barrier against the sperm cells from entering the cervical opening and ultimately reaching an egg cell for fertilization. It is inserted around three hours before the sexual act. Spermicide is recommended for use as well.
The diaphragm should fit the opening exactly to be an effective form of contraception and to avoid any room for error. It should be routinely checked twice a year to ensure that the size still meets its mark. An advantage of the diaphragm is that it does not hinder sex thus your partner won’t even be able to feel it is there. After having sex, it should be remain in place for a minimum of six hours to ensure that the spermicide has effectively done its job as a form of contraception.
Female condom as a form of contraception
The counterpart of the male condom, the female condom is also made of a flexible, polyurethane material that has a substance for lubrication. Instead of using it on a man’s penis, it is placed at the opening of the vagina using a pair of rings to keep it in its place. The same principle applies in which the sperm cells are barred against reaching or even getting in contact with the vaginal opening. The female condom can be placed in position at any time before and after sex.
Also like the male condom, the female condom extends protection to both the partners from contracting infection from STDs, STIs as well as HIV/AIDS aside from being a good form of contraception. Some couples mix their use of contraception, for example, the condom for protection against STD and the pill for pregnancy prevention.
Spermicide as a form of contraception
A spermicide is not considered a form of contraception per se but more as an additional means of contraception that enhances the action of other contraceptive devices. Its function for contraception is to kill sperm cells or immobilize them to prevent their movement to the womb. Spermicides are available in different forms, as a cream, film, foam, or gel. There are other barrier contraception devices that already have spermicide included in it. The use of a spermicide by itself will not provide protection against infection from STDs and STIs.
Pills as a form of oral contraception
The birth control pill is considered to be one of the most effective forms of contraception that is available at your neighborhood clinic or hospital. You can also ask for a prescription from your ob-gyn or health care provider. To aid in contraception, the pill usually consists of 2 female hormones, estrogen and progestogen that work together to prevent the release of an egg cell from the ovary each month. It also benefits the body since it makes the monthly menstrual cycles regular and lighter as well as diminishing PMS symptoms and cramps.
The pill is generally an effective form of contraception for most women although there are a handful of women with certain health conditions and risk factors such as age and lifestyle, that is, heavy cigarette smokers who are not recommended to take pills for contraception. A comprehensive medical history should be given to your health care provider before starting on the pill to make sure that no adverse side effects will occur.
There are several minor side effects that are associated with the taking of pills as contraception which only lasts for a maximum of 3 months. These include staining or spotting in between menstrual periods, slight migraines or headaches, and tenderness at the breast area. Major side effects like thrombosis are very rare.
The dosage of hormones in the pills available varies in amount. An increase in the amount of hormones, particularly estrogen, may exhibit side effects thus needing a change to another brand with a lower dose. This is the reason why a consultation with a doctor is needed before going on the pill for contraception to make sure that the pill is the best option for contraception for you.
Intrauterine device (IUD) as a form of contraception
The IUD is seen to be effective as a form of contraception that is needed for emergency purposes, as well as for long term contraception.
This intrauterine device is described to be a wire shaped into a capital T which has a coil of copper at its base to serve as a spermicide. This device is placed in the narrowest opening of the uterus by a well trained health care provider or physician. Its function is to irritate the wall of the uterus to prevent implantation from occurring, thus also preventing pregnancy from pushing through, making it effective as a contraception. The copper coil kills and immobilizes the sperm cells.
There are two small filaments attached to the device that hangs in the vagina so you can periodically check if it is still where it should be by making a small tug on the strings.
An IUD can cause long heavy periods, sometimes even with some pain. Women using an IUD for contraception are prone to having a uterine infection. If you think that you may have one, then it is vital to seek for medical attention at once, either with your doctor or at the local hospital. If the infection is left untreated, it may give you the possibility of having problems during conception in the future or even rendering you sterile.
There are different kinds of IUDs whose duration of use varies from 3 to 10 years. If you feel that this form of contraception is not for you, do not hesitate to let your doctor remove it for you. Do not attempt to remove it by yourself.
Hormone injections as a form of contraception
Hormone injections are fast becoming a popular form of contraception because of its ease and frequency in application. The hormone, usually progestogen, is injected into the woman’s body once in a 2 to 3 month period. This hormone then is released into the blood stream intermittently which acts to prevent the ovary from releasing an egg cell. It also makes the mucus lining of the cervix thicker and harder for the sperm to penetrate.
These injections need a prescription to be dispensed and are done by your health care provider. After an injection, your next appointment will not be after a few months after. Side effects that a few women experience is having an irregularity in their menstrual periods, and weight gain. To resume fertility and having regular monthly periods, halt these injections, and it will revert to its normal state within a year.
Implants as a form of contraception
The implants can be described as small flexible cylindrical plastic containers of progestogen that are placed under the epidermis of the skin, usually at the inside portion of the upper arm. These tubes should be put in place by a professional health provider with the application of anesthesia on the local area. The progestogen it contains is released in divided minute doses to last for 3 years which is the time it has to be replaced. The action of this form of contraception is to increase the viscosity of the mucus found in the cervical opening of the uterus to decrease the motility of sperm cells and prevent them from initiating fertilization. It also acts on the uterine lining so as to prevent implantation from occurring.
Some side effects of this contraception are seen to be mood changes, slight headaches, and minor tenderness in the breast area. These usually fade after a few months. Some also experience a bit of weight gain and irregularities in their menstrual cycle from this form of contraception
Hormonal patch as a from of contraception
The hormonal patch is described to be a square shaped thin patch that can be attached to the surface of the skin. It contains the two female hormones, progestogen and estrogen which are absorbed in the skin in minute doses. It can be attached on the butt area, upper limbs, upper body, and stomach area. It can stay for a period of 3 weeks, with the fourth week being patch free.
Application of the hormonal patch on day 1 of your menstrual cycle is sufficient contraception to last for the whole cycle. If application of the patch is done in any other day of the cycle, then you may need to use an additional form of contraception like a spermicide or a condom on the first week to ensure total contraception. Likewise, if the placing of the patch is delayed for more than a couple of days, a new cycle should be started that is independent of the first.
Like all hormonal forms of contraception, the action of the hormonal patch is to make the cervical mucus more viscous or thicker to impede the movement of the sperm cells from entering the womb.
Side effects associated with this form of contraception device include staining and spotting in between menstrual periods, minor headaches, and tenderness in the breast. These side effects usually last for only several weeks.
Natural methods of contraception
The following methods of contraception make use of the principle of being attuned to the physiologic functions of the body, especially of the reproductive system, thus avoiding having sex during those times when the body is most fertile and prone to pregnancy. These methods depend on what is applicable for you to use. Usually a combination of these methods is best for effective contraception.
Make a record of the temperature of your body in the morning everyday with the use of a special thermometer for fertility.
Check for changes in the viscosity of the cervical mucus.
Calculate the day when ovulation will most probably occur through the number of days from the first day of the last period. This is effective as contraception for those with regular menstrual periods.
Be aware of mood shifts and a tenderness in the breast area that usually occurs at the second part of the menstrual cycle, usually measured at the start of the period to the start of the following period.
Using a combination of these methods requires motivation, knowledge, as well as patience. Ask your health care provider or ob-gyn about the proper way of doing this form of contraception. If followed correctly, the natural method of contraception is quite safe and provides a good way of contraception and preventing pregnancy.
Miniature Computer to Monitor Body Hormones as a form of contraception
This is described to be a miniature monitor that utilizes a small computer to test for hormone changes in a urine sample which is available at the local pharmacy. Knowing the level of hormones can help determine the days when you are most fertile or not. This method is quite expensive as well needs a lot of patience and perseverance to succeed as a form of contraception. The best way to avoid pregnancy is to avoid having sexual intercourse or use other alternative forms of contraception when you are fertile.
Withdrawal method as a form of contraception
Considered to be an ancient form of contraception, it is also found to have the highest risk of error. The procedure is simple to do. During sex, the man withdraws his penis from the vagina right before ejaculation occurs. As a form of contraception, this is quite hard to do since it needs a rigid self control on the part of the man to avoid late withdrawal of the penis and having a drop of seminal fluid enter the vagina. Even this small drop is already sufficient to cause pregnancy if the timing is right.
Sterilization as a form of contraception
This form or method of contraception is considered to be reversible in men although this method should be treated as a permanent form of contraception. Before undergoing sterilization, they should be in total agreement that they do not want to have children or other children. Counseling is always recommended first to couples planning to undergo sterilization.
Male sterilization (vasectomy)
Vasectomy is considered to be a minor surgical procedure that is done using an anesthetic on the area to be operated on. The vas deferens tubes, which are the tubes carrying sperm to mix with the semen are severed. Ejaculation is still possible but without the sperm present in the ejaculate. The seminal fluid is totally devoid of sperm several weeks after this operation so other forms of contraception must be used until sperm tests come out negative for a month. Vasectomy has no effect on the performance of sex or its enjoyment.
Female sterilization
When a woman decides to undergo sterilization as a form of contraception, this is considered to be a permanent condition which needs extensive counseling to know if this is truly what she wants to do. Anesthesia is needed for this simple surgical procedure wherein the pair of Fallopian tubes are severed or impeded so as to avoid carrying the egg cell towards the uterus and meet a sperm cell on the way. Sterilization is immediate in women and hospital stay is required for a couple of days for recovery. Menstruation occurs normally and regularly but some may find their periods to be heavier than usual.
This form of contraception is considered to be irreversible. If you are still considering having kids, then do not attempt this form of contraception to avoid any regrets in the future.
Emergency contraception
Emergency contraception can be described to be a form of stopping pregnancy to occur after having sex without any form of contraception. It can be considered safe as well as effective although used as the final means of stopping pregnancy for those people who are not ready for this kind of complication. An emergency contraception can be used only when needed and not as your regular form of contraception. Further information on emergency contraception can be accessed.
